Chronology of William Shakespeare's Plays: Sources and Published Dates

William Shakespeare

Chronology of William Shakespeare's Plays: Sources and Published Dates

William Shakespeare, often regarded as the greatest playwright in English literature, wrote 39 plays that have been classified into three major genres: tragedies, comedies, and histories. Determining the exact chronology of Shakespeare’s plays is a complex task because few were published during his lifetime, and records of performances are scarce. However, scholars have estimated their order of composition based on textual analysis, historical references, and contemporary accounts.

This article provides a chronological overview of Shakespeare's plays, along with their approximate dates of composition, sources, and publication details.

Early Plays (1589–1594)

Shakespeare’s early works show influences from Christopher Marlowe, Seneca, and Plautus. These plays were mostly histories and comedies, reflecting the theatrical trends of the time.

1. Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, and 3 (1589–1592)

Source: Edward Hall’s Union of the Two Noble and Illustrious Families of Lancaster and York and Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles.

First Published: Henry VI, Part 2 and Part 3 were first published in 1594, while Part 1 appeared in the First Folio (1623).

2. Titus Andronicus (1590–1591)

Source: Likely influenced by Seneca’s tragedies and Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

First Published: 1594 (Quarto).

3. The Comedy of Errors (1592–1594)

Source: Based on Plautus’s Menaechmi and Amphitruo.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

4. The Taming of the Shrew (1593–1594)

Source: Based on popular folktales and earlier plays such as A Merry Jest of a Shrew.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

Middle Period (1595–1600): Establishing a Unique Voice

During this period, Shakespeare developed his signature style and produced some of his most enduring works, including famous tragedies and romantic comedies.

5. Romeo and Juliet (1595–1596)

Source: Arthur Brooke’s The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet (1562).

First Published: 1597 (Quarto).

6. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595–1596)

Source: Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale, and English folklore.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

7. Richard II (1595–1596)

Source: Holinshed’s Chronicles and Edward Hall’s Union of the Two Noble and Illustrious Families.

First Published: 1597 (Quarto).

8. King John (1596–1597)

Source: An anonymous play The Troublesome Reign of King John.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

9. The Merchant of Venice (1596–1597)

Source: Italian tales, particularly Il Pecorone by Giovanni Fiorentino.

First Published: 1600 (Quarto).

10. Henry IV, Part 1 & 2 (1596–1598)

Source: Holinshed’s Chronicles.

First Published: Part 1 in 1598 (Quarto), Part 2 in 1600 (Quarto).

11. Much Ado About Nothing (1598–1599)

Source: Matteo Bandello’s Novelle.

First Published: 1600 (Quarto).

Mature Works (1600–1608): The Peak of Shakespeare’s Genius

This period saw Shakespeare producing his greatest tragedies, reflecting deep psychological insight and sophisticated themes.

12. Hamlet (1600–1601)

Source: An earlier lost play called Ur-Hamlet and Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum.

First Published: 1603 (Quarto).

13. Othello (1603–1604)

Source: Cinthio’s Hecatommithi.

First Published: 1622 (Quarto).

14. King Lear (1605–1606)

Source: The True Chronicle History of King Leir and Holinshed’s Chronicles.

First Published: 1608 (Quarto).

15. Macbeth (1606)

Source: Holinshed’s Chronicles and Reginald Scot’s Discovery of Witchcraft.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

16. Antony and Cleopatra (1606–1607)

Source: Plutarch’s Lives.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

Late Period (1609–1613): Romance and Tragicomedies

Shakespeare’s later works leaned toward experimental storytelling, incorporating elements of tragedy, comedy, and romance.

17. The Winter’s Tale (1610–1611)

Source: Robert Greene’s Pandosto.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

18. The Tempest (1611)

Source: Accounts of shipwrecks and Montaigne’s Essays.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

19. Henry VIII (1612–1613)

Source: Holinshed’s Chronicles.

First Published: First Folio (1623).

Posthumous Collection and First Folio (1623)

After Shakespeare’s death in 1616, his plays were compiled and published in the First Folio (1623), edited by his colleagues John Heminges and Henry Condell. This collection preserved many of his works that might have otherwise been lost.

Some plays, such as Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1607) and The Two Noble Kinsmen (1613–1614), are debated regarding their authorship and inclusion in the Shakespearean canon.

Conclusion

Shakespeare’s plays remain some of the most studied, performed, and celebrated works in literature. His use of history, mythology, and folklore as sources reflects the depth of his literary genius. While the exact dates of composition remain uncertain, scholars have pieced together a relatively reliable chronology based on historical and textual evidence. The preservation of these plays, particularly through the First Folio, has ensured that Shakespeare’s legacy endures for generations to come.